Jason was stunned. Isn't Star-Lord's girlfriend Gamora, Thanos' adopted daughter?
"How exactly do you want me to save your girlfriend?" he asked.
When Star-Lord heard the question, he began pouring out his story. "She has this adopted father—people call him the Purple Sweet Potato—who's planning to destroy the universe! A while back, I got hold of this thing called an Infinity Stone, fought against this evil dude named Ronan, and ended up saving the entire galaxy."
He ran a hand through his hair anxiously. "But a few days ago, we got word that the planet Xandar, where the Stone was being kept, was under attack. So my team and I rushed over to help out."
"But when we got there," Star-Lord continued, his face darkening, "we discovered the one attacking Xandar was my girlfriend's adoptive father—Thanos, a major villain in the universe!"
Star-Lord paused and said, "That distress call requesting our help? Thanos sent it himself. The whole thing was a setup to lure us there so he could grab Gamora!"
He sighed heavily. "Gamora figured out Thanos's plan, and she told me something terrifying. Thanos has been plotting something that affects the entire universe. He plans to collect six gems that were born with the universe, and then use them to wipe out half of all life everywhere!"
"And now," he added grimly, "he's already got his first gem—the Power Stone! He's probably hunting for the second one as we speak!"
Jason listened to this breathless explanation with mild surprise. "I understand what you're saying, but why come to Earth?"
Star-Lord sighed. "During our escape, we ran into this mysterious wizard who told us about an incredibly powerful team on Earth called the Avengers. He said they might actually stand a chance against Thanos!"
"I didn't totally buy it," he admitted, "but we're out of options, so here we are. Plus, he also mentioned that more of these legendary gems exist on Earth, and Thanos will definitely come here. Even if the Avengers can't beat Thanos outright, we could set a trap and wait for him!"
Jason looked puzzled. "What was this wizard's name?"
Star-Lord frowned. "Didn't really ask. Think he was Asgardian, though. Some kind of prince. Said his father died, his brother stole his throne, and then kicked him out of Asgard. That's about all I know..."
After hearing this, Jason was even more confused. Wasn't Thor happily enjoying his time on Earth with Jane? When did he go back to inherit the throne? The person Star-Lord described sounded like Loki, but who would have expelled him?
Shaking his head, Jason pushed these questions aside and focused on the more pressing matter of Thanos.
"I can help you defeat Thanos," he said, "but your girlfriend... can you locate where he's keeping her?"
Star-Lord was stunned for a moment before shaking his head.
Jason shrugged. "Then how am I supposed to save her?"
Rocket interjected, "Gamora was captured by Thanos. If he's coming to Earth, he'll probably bring her with him!"
Jason nodded. "If she's brought here, then I can definitely save her. The question is whether Thanos will take her along..."
Jason knew Gamora was aware of the Soul Stone's location, and to obtain it, Thanos would need to sacrifice someone he truly loved. If Thanos came to the solar system first, Jason could save Gamora. But if Thanos went for the Soul Stone first, Jason wouldn't know where to find them.
After hearing this, Star-Lord looked shocked. "Gamora is Thanos's adopted daughter—he wouldn't kill her, right?"
Drax shook his massive head. "Thanos is a monster who wants to destroy half of all life in the universe. Don't have any illusions about him! I wouldn't be surprised by anything he does!"
Star-Lord turned in disbelief. "You're saying he might actually hurt Gamora?"
Drax's face was grim. "I understand your pain, Quill. My wife and daughter died at Thanos's hands. We share a common enemy! Let's work together and take our revenge on Thanos!"
Star-Lord responded with disgust. "What revenge? Gamora will be fine—she's not going to die! Thanos cares about her; she's his daughter! What kind of father would be that cruel..."
"Uh...Quill?" Rocket couldn't help but interrupt. "Speaking of cruelty, I should mention your own father—he was worse than we could have imagined. The possibility of Thanos killing Gamora isn't exactly far-fetched..."
Star-Lord looked at his teammates, speechless. "Damn it! Can't you be a little supportive and just hope that Gamora is still alive? She's not just my girlfriend—she's our most important teammate!"
"I am Groot!" the tree creature said softly.
"See? Even the kid gets it!" Star-Lord yelled immediately.
Mantis twisted her fingers nervously. "Quill, try not to get too worked up. None of us want anything to happen to Gamora. What's important now is to stay calm and find a way to rescue her. Don't panic..."
Star-Lord rolled his eyes. "I'm not panicking, okay? They're the ones saying all this depressing stuff!"
"Alright!" Jason clapped his hands. "If Thanos comes here, I promise I'll help you save Gamora. But beyond that, it'll be difficult for me to assist you. What's your next move? Wait here, or...?"
Star-Lord frowned thoughtfully, then looked at his team. "Guys, I think we need to lure Thanos here!"
"That's actually a good idea!" Before Rocket and the others could respond, Jason was the first to agree.
After thinking for a moment, Jason suddenly produced the Space Stone. Star-Lord and the others' eyes widened. "Is that... one of the Infinity Stones Thanos is after?"
Rocket's eyes lit up greedily, and he scurried forward with a smile. "I'm sure if we use this as bait, Thanos will come running!"
Jason clearly saw the greed in Rocket's eyes and rolled his own. "Don't even think about it. I'm not giving this to you!"
He stretched out his hand, drew a stream of pure energy from the Space Stone, and used his spatial ability to wrap it into a small sphere. Soon, an identical-looking gem appeared.
He casually tossed it to Rocket. "As long as Thanos doesn't actually get his hands on this fake, he'll never know it's not the real thing. It should be enough to lure him in."
Rocket held up the fake gem, examining it suspiciously. "Are you sure this'll work? How about making a few more, so even if one breaks, we've got backups?"
Jason gave him a knowing half-smile. "If you can actually lure Thanos here, I'll make as many as you want."
Rocket's eyes gleamed. "Deal!"
Star-Lord rolled his eyes, but recognizing the need for unity at a time like this, he held his tongue. He led Rocket, Groot, and the others back to their ship, and with a wave of Jason's hand, they were immediately teleported to the edge of the solar system.
The Guardians marveled at this incredible power before setting off on their mission to find Thanos.